On Friday European stocks rose, with the Stoxx Europe 600 Index trimming this week’s decline, as the region’s economy expanded at a faster pace than estimated. Asian shares and US index futures gained.

ThyssenKrupp AG, Germany’s largest steelmaker, climbed 2.2 per cent after raising its forecast for 2010 profit. Thomas Cook Group plc and TUI Travel plc surged at least three per cent as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. recommended buying the shares.

Better-than-expected economic growth in Germany boosted European shares in early trade, with miners and oil majors rising on firmer commodity prices as the upbeat data lifted the euro against the dollar.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares was up 0.6 per cent, after closing 0.2 per cent higher on Thursday. The index is on track to post a 0.8 per cent decline this week, following hefty falls earlier in the week on fears over the pace of economic recovery in the United States.

Sentiment was lifted by data showing Germany’s second quarter gross domestic product rose by a better-than-expected 2.2 per cent in the second quarter, the fastest rate since reunification. Separate data showed French GDP rose 0.6 per cent in the second quarter, slightly higher than forecasts for a 0.5 per cent gain.

Miners rose, with metals prices gaining as the dollar slipped against the euro following the strong growth figures from Germany. Oil majors were also strong, with BP, Repsol and Total up 0.2 to 0.8 per cent as oil prices jumped to above $76 a barrel on a technical rebound and as the dollar fell.

Asian stocks rose, driving the MSCI Asia Pacific Index higher for the first time in five days, as earnings reports across the region boosted investor confidence. Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average advanced 0.4 per cent.

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